The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships.
We have a new and exciting opportunity for an organised and flexible individual to join our team as an Anatomical Pathology and Laboratory Technician. In this role you will work in both the clinical pathology and anatomical pathology environment. As well as providing in house clinical pathology services to Veterinary Surgeons such as haematology and biochemistry, you will also help to ensure that post mortem examinations are carried out to the highest standards possible. Working in both areas requires the timely delivery of accurate and useful information for the purposes of clinical audit, herd health monitoring, research and training.
About you:
* A degree or equivalent in a biological or animal science.
* Previous biological laboratory experience.
* Proven experience and demonstrable comfort in carcass handling and dissection.
* Competent IT skills.
* A self-motivated team player.
* Able to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.
* Full valid driving licence.
About the role:
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
* Carrying out routine haematology, biochemistry and endocrinology on blood samples submitted by our veterinary teams and promptly highlighting abnormal results.
* Carrying out routine faecal parasitology on faecal samples submitted to the laboratory for intestinal parasites, liver fluke and lungworm.
* Performing PCR tests on samples submitted from donkeys and mules with suspected infectious diseases and reporting the results to the case vet.
* Supporting the Laboratory Manager in the training of new staff and the teaching of students and visitors to the laboratory.
* Collecting deceased donkeys, assisting with the dissection of the carcass and then the delivery of carcass to external contractors for disposal following post mortem (PM) examination.
* Setting up the PM room for examination process, and obtaining case history from veterinary surgeon and presenting it in a clear format to the pathologist prior to examination.
* Collection of samples during PM examination as directed by the pathologist ensuring they are sent to an appropriate external laboratory, reporting the results to the pathologist and accurately inputting the report into the Animal Management System.
What we offer in return:
Based at our fully equipped veterinary hospital at Brookfield Farm, near Honiton, East Devon – an area of outstanding natural beauty – this is a part-time, permanent role starting as soon as possible, working 30 hours per week, 08.00-16.30, Tuesday-Friday (the working pattern for core hours can be flexible). One fully trained, flexibility will be required for weekend working as part of the team rota.
Benefits:
* Competitive pension.
* Life assurance.
* 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
* Wellbeing team.
* Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
* Long service awards.
* Healthshield plan – reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
* Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
* Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
* Free parking.
* Subsidised restaurant and shop on main site.
Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 2 March 2025.
For further information regarding this role, including application instructions, please click the APPLY NOW button.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.
The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
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